Ryeland Spirits – Due Diligence

6^th April 2020

Introduction:

With the introduction of the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) I am providing you with this information containing information to perform risk based due diligence check on my businesses.

Due Diligence Checks

Angela Hopgood trading as Ryeland Spirits is committed to tackling alcohol fraud on a National level within the UK. I work to eliminate risk and aim to ensure that I comply with all requirements and regulations and insist that all of my customers and suppliers perform due diligence checks on me in return.

The following information has been prepared to support and confirm Angela Hopgood, trading as Ryeland Sprits to be classified as “fit and proper” in compliance with HMRC Regulations.

Trading Name:                     Angela Hopgood trading as Ryeland Spirits

Trading Address:                 20 Stratford Place, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9TL

Telephone Number:           07879 811484

Email:                                    info@ryelandsprits.co.uk

Trading Activity:                  Wholesaler of spirits and direct supply to customers through organised events and online website

Website Address:                www.ryelandspirits.co.uk

Type of Organisation:        Sole Proprietor

Company Number:             N/A

VAT Number:                       N/A at present

Date of Incorporation:      16^th May 2019

AWRS Number:                    AWR-12801

Business Structure

Angela Hopgood, trading as Ryeland Spirits is a sole trading business, based in Lymington Hampshire England 

Purpose & Audience

The purpose of this policy is to set out my approach to due diligence. Alcohol fraud is a serious problem that harms not only the UK taxpayer but also legitimate businesses, communities and the wider economy. Without effective safeguards in place, there are considerable risks to all businesses along alcohol supply chains of becoming implicated in illicit trading. The due diligence condition requires that all excise registered businesses operating in the alcohol supply sector consider the risks of excise duty evasion as well as any commercial and other risks when they are trading. Doing so will drive illicit trading out of alcohol supply chains and reduce the risks to businesses of financial liabilities associated with goods on which duty has been evaded.

Statement of Policy

Angela Hopgood trading as Ryeland Spirits is committed to trading in full compliance with all relevant national, EU and International laws, although we only source products from reputable businesses within the UK. We do not import products from the EU and non-EU countries. All products we supply will have had its appropriate duty paid.

Evidence of Duty Payment

I will:

1. Objectively assess the risks of duty fraud within the supply chains in which I operate
2. Put in place reasonable and proportionate checks, in my day to day trading, to identify transactions that may lead to fraud, or involve goods on which duty may have been evaded
3. Have procedures in place to take timely and effective mitigating action where a risk of fraud is identified
4. Document the checks I need to carry out and have governance in place to ensure that these are and continue to be carried out as intended where I think there is a possibility that this could involve a fraudulent transaction
5. If I suspect fraud, HMRC will be notified by me
6. All customers who do not pass the internal checks will be notified that their account will not be opened and customers with suspicious behaviour will be reported to HMRC in a timely manner

Consequence of Non-Compliance

Failure to demonstrate due diligence may lead to HMRC to conclude that a business is a risk to the revenue and not “fit and proper” for the purpose of excise legislation. This may lead to restrictions or conditions being imposed and, ultimately, to the withdrawal of authorisations, financial penalties and the seizure of stock.

Processes

Angela Hopgood trading as Ryeland Spirits, has adopted and documented processes that will:

1. Check the identity of trading partners
2. Check the financial health of trading partners
3. Check the contract terms
4. Check the existence and provenance of goods we buy and sell
5. Assess the credibility of the deal being contemplated

It is integral to those processes that in each case I will assess how much information I need in order to justify the relationship or specific transaction. When I receive information, I will as far as possible, cross check it with independent sources.

Review

This policy will be reviewed by Angela Hopgood as required.

Contact for more information at 07879 811484 /  info@ryelandspirits.co.uk